Fairhaven volleyball looking for spot in state final tonight

Maybe the third time will be the charm. For the third straight year, the Fairhaven High volleyball team has claimed the South Sectional Division 2 championship and is headed for the state semifinals. The Blue Devils (20-1) will take on Western Mass. champion Longmeadow (18-3) tonight at 7 at Hudson High School. The winner advances to the state championship on Saturday at 3 p.m. at Algonquin Regional High School.

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By BILL ABRAMSON

southcoasttoday.com

By BILL ABRAMSON

Posted Nov. 13, 2012 at 12:01 AM

By BILL ABRAMSON
Posted Nov. 13, 2012 at 12:01 AM

» Social News

FAIRHAVEN — Maybe the third time will be the charm.

For the third straight year, the Fairhaven High volleyball team has claimed the South Sectional Division 2 championship and is headed for the state semifinals. The Blue Devils (20-1) will take on Western Mass. champion Longmeadow (18-3) tonight at 7 at Hudson High School. The winner advances to the state championship on Saturday at 3 p.m. at Algonquin Regional High School.

Last year, Fairhaven was eliminated in the semifinals by eventual state champion Marlboro, 3-0. Two years ago, Fairhaven defeated Melrose in the semifinal, but lost to Medfield in the championship game.

"The kids are different this year, so that makes it a different team and we're all excited for them," Coach Karen Arsenault said. "After the last two years, the expectation in the community wasn't there. I understand it, but my expectation is always high. I felt we would do well and make the playoffs, but I never thought we would be back here.

"Sometime, it's better when you don't have all that expectation. Then, you can ride the wave and see where it takes you. It makes for a long season, but I'm enjoying the ride."

The expectation level dropped with the graduation of key starters, including the Standard Times Player of the Year Kara Charette and Kelsey Perron-Sovik and Kayli Moniz, from last year's team. Returning veterans of the two previous trips to the state semis are middle blocker Kay Mullen and setter Ashley Brown.

"Kay Mullen and Ashley Brown are like my daughters that I never had," the coach pointed out. "It's more than volleyball. It's about relationships with the players.

"Some kids confide in me. Some need another adult role model and I've always tried to be that. I'm not perfect, but no one is. I want them to have the most positive experience. I want them to reach their full potential."

It hasn't always been a smooth ride for Mullen and Brown as they assumed the leadership of this new team.

"It was tough for them in the beginning," Arsenault said. "They were so used to being in the shadows and taking orders from the upperclassmen and going along for the ride. They did a phenomenal job at that. And they're stepping up now for these younger players.

"They are staying calm and cool and getting everyone up. It's a whole different role and they've been great role models."

Describing Brown as calm and cool flies in the face of her on-court persona. She is a whirling dervish, going at full speed as she chases down errant passes and spikes from the other side of the net and delivers precise passes, blocks and kills despite her 5-foot-6 stature.

"She's not calm and cool in her actions when she puts everything she has out there," Arsenault said. "She keeps it together mentally. She always has something to say in the huddle. She's very emotional and puts it all out there. Kay is a little more of a quiet leader."

Arsenault has gone online for her scouting report on Longmeadow and finds the team is similar in height and statistics to Fairhaven.

One area that could have had Fairhaven at a disadvantage is illness and injuries — but he coach and team have taken that negative and turned it into a positive.

"They have made me have to coach more," she said of the setbacks. "I had to make adjustments and the kids made adjustments. They had to step up and make contributions.

"I'm pleasantly surprised, but it's a sign that our program is where we want it to be. Younger girls are getting excited about volleyball. Middle school kids are involved where they wouldn't be in the past."

The varsity roster has three seniors with outside hitter Madison Cabral joining Mullen and Brown. The rest of the roster is heavy with juniors and a couple of sophomores.

In the tournament, volleyball is a game of mistakes. Whichever team makes the most errors will most likely lose.

"The best thing is to play like it's going to be your last game," Arsenault emphasized. "It's going to be someone's last game, and it could be us. You have to believe you can win.

"You do the best you can, try to give them the best advice you can. All of that plays a role in a successful team. If the kids like you, they'll work for you in the classroom and it's the same thing in coaching. If they have some sort of respectful relationship with the coach, they'll want to do well. They know I'm here for them and they work hard. I won't put up with any drama and they know that.

"I feel that this team has been more mentally tough because they have put it together in high-pressure situations. I'm giving 100 percent and they will, too."